Fresh from its collapse into administration, footwear retailer Brantano has decided to make 34 of the 71 head office jobs redundant.
The news follows the retailer‘s decision to halt all online trading last week, as well as the resignation of executive chairman David Riddiford – who also oversaw sister footwear retailer Jones Bootmaker.
Brantano collapsed on March 22 after it failed to find a buyer to rescue the chain, which led to Tony Barrell and Mike Jervis of PwC being appointed as joint administrators.
The future of Brantano‘s 73 stores and its 1086 staff is still uncertain.
“Following our appointment as administrators, we have been continuing to trade the business as normal whilst assessing the trading strategy and any interest in parts of the business,” Barrell said.
READ MORE: Brantano shuts down online trading
“As part of the initial trading assessment, regrettably, 34 employees are being made redundant at its head office in Hinckley, Leicestershire.
“Our thoughts are with the affected employees and we will be doing what we can to support them through this difficult time.
“We are continuing to trade the stores and concessions, whilst engaging in ongoing discussions with interested parties about the potential sale of parts of the business.”
This is Brantono’s second administration in as many years, having fallen into a similar state in January 2016 before being bought by Alteri Investors a month later for £12.2 million.
Jones Bootmaker was bought in a last minute pre-pack deal by private equity firm Endless, after it looked dead set on being the second casualty for Alteri just days after Brantano collapsed.
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